New FSM Ambassador to the United States of America

(Palikir, Pohnpei) – A brief ceremony was held on January 9th at the President’s Office in Palikir for the swearing in of Ambassador-designate Akillino H. Susaia as the next Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Ambassador to the United States of America. Ambassador-designate Susaia was nominated by President Christian and confirmed by the 19th FSM Congress to serve as Ambassador to the United States. He succeeds former Ambassador Asterio Takesy. Mr. Susaia will serve as the 4th FSM Ambassador to the United States since FSM became a sovereign independent Nation.

In his remark at the swearing in ceremony, Ambassador-designate Susaia expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Christian for the confidence placed in him to serve as Ambassador to the United States. He also expressed gratitude to the members of the 19th FSM Congress for their approval of his nomination. He pledged to do his best in upholding and performing the duties of FSM Ambassador to the United States of America.

President Christian congratulated Ambassador-designate Susaia on his new assignment. He then seized the opportunity and reaffirmed the steadfast commitment of the FSM Government’s special relationship with the United States referencing the political, economic, humanitarian, security and defense ties that bond the FSM and the United States under the Compact of Free Association. In an unprecedented gesture, President Christian recognized and offered the United States Ambassador to the FSM HE Robert Riley who was present at the ceremony an opportunity to speak. He spoke briefly and said that he is delighted that there is a new FSM Ambassador to the United States because the post has been vacant for quite some time. He also said he will do his best to assist in the processing of the documents required before Ambassador-designate Susaia takes up his post in Washington D.C.

Ambassador-designate Susaia had served as Secretary of the Department of Transportation Communication & Infrastructure and the Department of Economic Affairs now Resources and Development in the FSM National Government after many years working in the Pohnpei State Government. He has also served overseas in different diplomatic posts including Consul General in the State of Hawaii and Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.

Present at the Ceremony were some members of President’s Cabinet, senior staff of the various national government offices and agencies, Mrs. Mihpel Olter Susaia and some family members, and staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Susaia have 4 children and 9 grand kids.

For more information, please call the Department of Foreign Affairs at (691) 320-2544.

To read the full piece from Office of the President of the Federated States of Micronesia, click here.